Entries Tagged as 'England vs South Africa'

South Africa dismiss Pietersen cheaply

South Africa reduced England to 130 for four at lunch in their second innings after dismissing Kevin Pietersen for only 13 runs on the fourth day of the first test at Headingley on Monday.

Nightwatchman James Anderson defied the South Africa bowlers despite some painful blows to the body from Dale Steyn to make a test best 34 but England still trailed South Africa by 189 runs at the interval. Opener Alastair Cook was 46 not out and Ian Bell was on one.

South Africa, who made 522 in reply to England’s first innings 203, are well positioned to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series with blue skies and sunshine.

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Source: Reuters UK

Prince falls but de Villiers swells South Africa’s lead

Lunch South Africa 384 for 5 (de Villiers 103*, Boucher 8*) lead England 203 by 181 runs

England removed Ashwell Prince for 149 in a far-improved bowling display, but were left frustrated as South Africa rode their luck to survive several near-misses on the third day at Headingley. AB de Villiers was one such recipient of lady luck, but took advantage of the inevitable loose deliveries to notch his sixth Test hundred, helping to swell South Africa’s lead beyond 150.

Following their jaded effort yesterday, on a surface offering scant assistance to seam or spin, England welcomed a slight change in conditions this morning and could well have removed Prince and de Villiers within the first hour. Inevitably, it was to Andrew Flintoff that Michael Vaughan turned for inspiration, and in a lively three-over spell he found encouraging movement off the pitch, beating de Villiers with a neat leg-cutter and even luring the normally sober Prince into a washy drive outside off.

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Source: Cricinfo

England 185/8 (46.2 ov) vs SA (South Africa)

South Africa won the toss and elected to field first
England 185/8 (46.2 ov)
Day 1 - Session 2 England RR 3.99
Last 10 ovs 54/3 RR 5.40
Min overs remaining 43.5

Flintoff returns to boost England vs South Africa

Match facts

Friday July 18 - Tuesday July 22, 2008
Start time 11.00am (10.00GMT)

 

Big Picture

One weary set of England players and one rejuvenated set of South Africans have made their way north after five days of hard toil at Lord’s. Even though a featherbed surface aided the visitors’ escape, it was a magnificent effort to lose just three wickets in 167 overs of their second innings. Michael Vaughan was aware of the dangers of back-to-back Tests when he enforced the follow-on and, with a couple of his attack showing the strain by the end at Lord’s, their endurance and stamina will be tested to the full - especially if they have to field first. With that in mind it is a major boost to have a fresh pair of legs in the squad, and they aren’t just anyone’s legs. Eighteen months after his last Test appearance for England, Andrew Flintoff will make his comeback. His previous outing in any international was last September during the ICC World Twenty20.

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Source: Cricinfo